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Hi,

My onboard battery charger does not work.  I want to fit a replacement charger that I can leave on all the time so that the battery will charge while I am on site and connected to the mains via EHU.  I don't want to have to disconnect the battery to charge it.

I've seen this on ebay...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CTEK-MULTI-XS-3600-12V-BATTERY-CHARGER-5-YEAR-GUARANTEE_W0QQitemZ270376615463QQcmdZViewItem

Does anybody know if this will do the job?

Thanks for looking.

Quote: Originally posted by Davidxyz on 21/6/2009

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........so that the battery will charge while I am on site and connected to the mains via EHU.  I don't want to have to disconnect the battery to charge it.....

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Here is what I have on C-tek....They are very good BTW.

The C-TEK Multi XS 3600 battery charger is ideal for use in cars, caravans, motorhomes and boats with a battery of up to 125Ah.
It can be safely left connected indefinitely to ensure that a battery is in peak condition when it's needed. It is completely "Electronic Safe" and can be left connected without damage to sensitive electronics. Charges drained batteries and pulses to recover slightly sulphated batteries. It operates with no sparks and has reverse polarity and short circuit protection. Supplied with two interchangeable connection sets, one with clamps, the other with eyelet terminals. It will charge batteries at a constant rate of 3.6 Amps per hour unlike conventional linear chargers which may be rated at 10 Amps or more but which can rapidly drop down to as little as 1 Amp.

Specifications

Input: 220-240V AC
Output: 14.4 or 14.7 nominal 12V DC 3.6A
Type: 3 step fully automatic with pulse maintenance mode
Battery types: 12V Lead-acid (Wet, MF, AGM and GEL)
Battery capacity: 1.2-120Ah
Input: 2m lead with standard U.K. 3-pin 13A plug
Output: 2m lead with crocodile clips and eyelet terminals

Dimensions (mm):Height:38mm Width:61mm Depth:165mm
Weight (Kg):0.5kg

The C-TEK Multi XS 7000 battery charger is ideal for use in cars, caravans, motorhomes and boats with a battery of up to 225Ah.
It can be safely left connected indefinitely to ensure that a battery is in peak condition when it's needed. It is completely "Electronic Safe" and can be left connected without damage to sensitive electronics. Charges drained batteries and pulses to recover slightly sulphated batteries. It operates with no sparks and has reverse polarity and short circuit protection. It will charge batteries at a constant rate of 7 Amps per hour unlike conventional linear chargers which may be rated at 10 Amps or more but which can rapidly drop down to as little as 1 Amp.

Specifications

Input: 220-240V AC
Output: 13.6V/Supply, 14.4V, 14.7V or 16V/Boost, nominal 12V DC 7A
Type: 5 step fully automatic with pulse maintenance mode
Battery types: 12V Lead-acid (Wet, MF, AGM and GEL)
Battery capacity: 14-225Ah
Input: 2m lead with standard U.K. 3-pin 13A plug
Output: 2m lead terminated with crocodile clips

Dimensions (mm):Height:48mm Width:89mm Depth:191mm
Weight (Kg):0.8kg

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Nick.

While the CTEK and other very similar (and cheaper) makes are excellent for keeping your battery in peak condition, they have one major drawback in replacing a caravan charger?

The problem is their low amperage output, as far as charging is concerned, amps = time, 3.6A takes 35 hours to charge a 125 amp hour battery and that's assuming no losses!.

The problem with that is it's unlikely to keep up with your usage therefore the battery power available will go down while your using the van, fine though if you can leave it alone to charge and maintain the battery while the vans not in use.

Most 'caravan' chargers although limited to 13.8 volts which does not fully charge a battery, are due to their higher amperage outputs, (12A and above), are capable of keeping up with your usage, infact, can run the van without a battery!

It depends a lot on your style of driving/holidaying as to how long you are prepared to spend charging a battery.

If you are in a hurry, there are battery(Vehicle/alternator) to battery(leisure) chargers, that will charge at 50 amps per hour, so even on a realativley short run, you can charge your batteries quick and cheapish.

Otherwise a trickle from a solar panel, or an ILBC will be just fine.